Unknown individuals vote for joining two UOC parishes to OCU in Kelmentsi
Unknown individuals voting for the transfer of UOC parishes to the OCU in the town of Kelmentsi. Photo: OCU
Chernivtsi media outlets have been spreading information that two religious communities of the UOC in the town of Kelmentsi decided on March 1, 2025, to leave the UOC and join the OCU. However, the Chernivtsi Eparchy has stated that this information is not accurate.
According to a Bukovynian OCU website, 470 "registered members of the community" allegedly voted in favor of joining their structure.
The UOC Eparchy underscores that the parishioners of the churches dedicated to Archangel Michael and the Pochaev Icon of the Mother of God in Kelmentsi have remained faithful to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
"The parishioners did not participate in the OCU rallies and artistic-educational events, nor did they authorize anyone to speak or make decisions on their behalf," the statement reads.
As previously reported by the UOJ, nearly 600 parishioners of St. Demetrius Church in Panka, Bukovyna, reaffirmed their loyalty to the UOC.
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